Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber and method for manufacturing the same, and fabric thereof

ABSTRACT

A thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber and a method for manufacturing the same, and a fabric thereof are provided. The method for manufacturing the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber includes steps as follows. A thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle having a Shore hardness ranging from 45D to 80D is provided. The thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle is melted to manufacture the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 110105465, filed on Feb. 18, 2021. The entire content of the above identified application is incorporated herein by reference.

Some references, which may include patents, patent applications and various publications, may be cited and discussed in the description of this disclosure. The citation and/or discussion of such references is provided merely to clarify the description of the present disclosure and is not an admission that any such reference is “prior art” to the disclosure described herein. All references cited and discussed in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and to the same extent as if each reference was individually incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber and a method for manufacturing the same, and a fabric thereof, and more particularly to a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber having high fiber strength and a method for manufacturing the same, and a fabric thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

A conventional polyurethane (PU) fiber is manufactured through a dry spinning process. During the dry spinning process, monomers needed for synthesizing polyurethane are prepared in a reactor tank and then synthesized to form polyurethane Subsequently, a spinning solution is formed by dissolving the polyurethane in a solvent. The spinning solution passes through an extruder and a die so as to shape the polyurethane therein, and then enters an environment full of a heated gas. The solvent in the spinning solution is vaporized due to a high temperature, so that a polyurethane filament is formed. The polyurethane filament can be further stretched, set, washed, and dried to obtain a polyurethane fiber.

However, in the dry spinning process, a great amount of the solvent is required, which causes environmental concerns. In addition, since a step of dissolving the polyurethane is carried out after synthesizing, physical properties of the polyurethane fiber are weakened. Moreover, the polyurethane fiber is unable to endure a high tension due to having weak physical properties. Accordingly, a production speed of the polyurethane fiber cannot be increased or the polyurethane fiber is easily broken. Therefore, the conventional method for manufacturing the polyurethane fiber still has room for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In response to the above-referenced technical inadequacies, the present disclosure provides a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber and a method for manufacturing the same, and a fabric thereof.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber. The method includes steps as follows. A thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle which has a Shore hardness ranging from 45D to 80D is provided. The thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle is melted to manufacture the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber.

In certain embodiments, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is manufactured at a production speed ranging from 1200 m/minute to 6000 m/minute.

In certain embodiments, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is stretched at a temperature ranging from 50° C. to 150° C. in a drawing process.

In certain embodiments, a draw ratio of the drawing process ranges from 1.0 to 4.0.

In certain embodiments, the method for manufacturing the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber further includes: after the drawing process, setting the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber at a temperature ranging from 50° C. to 150° C. in a setting process.

In certain embodiments, the temperature of the setting process is higher than the temperature of the drawing process by 5° C. to 20° C.

In certain embodiments, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle contains 0.1 wt % to 4 wt % of a pigment based on a total weight of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle being 100 wt %.

In certain embodiments, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle includes a normal thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle and a color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle, and the color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle contains the pigment.

In certain embodiments, after being melted, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle is extruded by an extruder to form the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber. A temperature of the extruder is set to range from 150° C. to 250° C.

In certain embodiments, a main component of a material to form the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle is thermoplastic polyurethane.

In certain embodiments, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle is formed from thermoplastic polyurethane that has a weight average molecular weight ranging from 30000 to 450000.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber. The thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is manufactured by the aforementioned method. A Shore hardness of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber ranges from 45D to 80D.

In certain embodiments, fiber strength of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is higher than 2.0 cN/F.

In certain embodiments, an extensibility of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is lower than or equal to 80%.

In certain embodiments, a boiling water shrinkage of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is lower than or equal to 30%.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fabric. The thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fabric is manufactured from the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber.

Therefore, by virtue of “the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle having a Shore hardness ranging from 45D to 80D” and “melting the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle to manufacture the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber”, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber and the method for manufacturing the same, and the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fabric of the present disclosure can overcome the issues of weak physical properties and the slow production speed.

These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of the embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings and their captions, although variations and modifications therein may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The described embodiments may be better understood by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a melting spinning device; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a take-up machine of the melting spinning device of FIG. 2 after the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is wound up.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Like numbers in the drawings indicate like components throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural reference, and the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”. Titles or subtitles can be used herein for the convenience of a reader, which shall have no influence on the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms used herein generally have their ordinary meanings in the art. In the case of conflict, the present document, including any definitions given herein, will prevail. The same thing can be expressed in more than one way. Alternative language and synonyms can be used for any term(s) discussed herein, and no special significance is to be placed upon whether a term is elaborated or discussed herein. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the present disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the present disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given herein. Numbering terms such as “first”, “second” or “third” can be used to describe various components, signals or the like, which are for distinguishing one component/signal from another one only, and are not intended to, nor should be construed to impose any substantive limitations on the components, signals or the like.

In order to overcome issues of a large usage of solvent in a conventional dry spinning process, and weak physical properties and a slow production speed of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber. The solvent is absent from the method of the present disclosure. The thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber of the present disclosure can be manufactured at a higher production speed and have stronger physical properties.

In the present disclosure, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer does not need to be dissolved in a solvent, that is, the step of dissolving the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer in the solvent can be omitted. After being polymerized, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer is directly melted and then shaped. Accordingly, the physical properties of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer can be retained, rather than being weakened by the solvent.

After being melted, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer can be shaped by an extruder and a die. After being cooled, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber that has good physical properties can be obtained. Therefore, a production speed of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber can be enhanced, and the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is difficult to be broken.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of the method for manufacturing the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a melting spinning device.

The method for manufacturing the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber of the present disclosure includes steps as follows. A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elastomer particle is provided (step S1). Subsequently, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle is put into a feeding tank 1 and then transported to a heating zone 2 by a screw rod. The thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle is heated by a heating plate in the heating zone 2 to form a melted thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. After passing through a filter device, the melted thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer is transported via a conveyer pipe 3 to a spinning beam 4 for manufacturing the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber (step 2).

In the present disclosure, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer is shaped by a melting step, rather than a dissolving step, so that the solvent is absent from the method, and the dissolving step can be omitted. Therefore, a solubility of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer is no longer to be considered, such that the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer having a higher molecular weight or a harder hardness can be used as a material.

In step S1, a Shore hardness of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle ranges from 45D to 80D. The thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle with a high hardness has a high structural intensity to endure a temperature change or a physical deformation in subsequent processes.

In some embodiments, a melting point of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle ranges from 150° C. to 250° C. Preferably, the melting point of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle ranges from 170° C. to 250° C. More preferably, the melting point of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle ranges from 170° C. to 220° C.

In some embodiments, a weight average molecular weight of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle ranges from 30000 g/mol to 450000 g/mol. Preferably, the weight average molecular weight of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle ranges from 35000 g/mol to 400000 g/mol. More preferably, the weight average molecular weight of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle ranges from 40000 g/mol to 400000 g/mol.

In some embodiments, an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle ranges from 0.5 to 3.0. Preferably, the intrinsic viscosity of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle ranges from 0.5 to 2.5. More preferably, the intrinsic viscosity of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle ranges from 1.0 to 2.0.

In some embodiments, a main component of a material forming the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle is thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The term “main component” refers to an amount of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer in the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle being higher than or equal to 75 wt %.

Preferably, the material forming the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle only contains the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer without other polymers, such as nylon or polyester, etc. Accordingly, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber and the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fabric manufactured from the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle also only contain the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. Therefore, when the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fabric is worn out, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fabric that has a single component can be directly recycled and reproduced

Specifically, the material forming the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle can be a polyether based TPU or a polyester based TPU that at least has a 4^(th) grade resistance of aging (retaining more than a fiber intensity of 60% at a temperature of 70° C. and a relative humidity of 95% for 14 days). Since yellowing easily occurs in the polyester based TPU, an ultraviolet absorbent can be optionally added into the polyester based TPU to postpone the occurrence of yellowing. The manner of adding the ultraviolet absorbent is illustrated later.

The thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle has good physical properties such that the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber can be manufactured at a high production speed and a yield of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber can be increased. In step S2, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is manufactured at a production speed ranging from 1200 m/minute to 6000 m/minute. Preferably, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is manufactured at a production speed ranging from 1500 m/minute to 3000 m/minute. More preferably, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is manufactured at a production speed ranging from 2000 m/minute to 3000 m/minute. In general, for fear of breaking, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber in the conventional dry spinning process is manufactured at a production speed ranging from 600 m/minute to 1000 m/minute. Therefore, the method for manufacturing the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber of the present disclosure improves the problem of a slow production speed in conventional technology.

In some embodiments, a take-up tension of the melting spinning device ranges from 0.05 cN/F to 0.50 cN/F to prevent the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber from breaking. Preferably, the take-up tension of the melting spinning device ranges from 0.08 cN/F to 0.35 cN/F. More preferably, the take-up tension of the melting spinning device ranges from 0.10 cN/F to 0.35 cN/F.

In some embodiments, a temperature of the melting spinning device is set from 150° C. to 300° C. Preferably, the temperature of the melting spinning device is set from 180° C. to 300° C. More preferably, the temperature of the melting spinning device is set from 180° C. to 250° C.

In some embodiments, a temperature of a gear pump in the melting spinning device is set from 200° C. to 300° C. to prevent the material from clogging and damaging the melting spinning device. Preferably, a temperature of the gear pump in the melting spinning device is set from 200° C. to 280° C. More preferably, a temperature of the gear pump of the melting spinning device is set from 200° C. to 250° C.

After the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is formed, 3 wt % to 20 wt % of a lubricant is sprayed onto the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber by using an oil nozzle, so that a friction between the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fibers can be reduced. Then, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fibers are gathered into bundles. Practically, a concentration of the lubricant sprayed onto the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber ranges from 0.3 wt % 3.0 wt %.

For example, the 20 wt % of the lubricant contains 20 g of the lubricant and 80 g of water. The lubricant can be an emulsifying oil containing silicon or an emulsifying oil containing polyol-ester. Preferably, the lubricant is the emulsifying oil containing silicon.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the method for manufacturing the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber of the present disclosure further includes a step of: stretching the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber in a drawing process to adjust a diameter and a fiber density of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber.

In some embodiments, the drawing process is implemented at a temperature ranging from 50° C. to 150° C. (step S3). Preferably, the drawing process is implemented at a temperature ranging from 75° C. to 125° C.

In the drawing process, a temperature of a first roller 51 is adjusted to soften the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber. After the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is softened, a draw ratio of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber can be adjusted according to a rotational speed ratio of the first roller 51 to a second roller 52. During the drawing process, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is continuously drawn when the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber passes between the first roller 51 and the second roller 52. The drawing process is implemented until the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber completely passes through the second roller 52.

In some embodiments, the draw ratio of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is greater than 1.0, and up to 4.0. In other words, a rotational speed of the second roller 52 is more than 1.0, and up to 4.0 times higher than a rotational speed of the first roller 51. Practically, the draw ratio of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber can be adjusted according to product requirements.

For example, when the rotational speed ratio of the first roller 51 to the second roller 52 is 4.0, a fiber density of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber after the drawing process is 0.25 times the fiber density of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber before the drawing process, and a length of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber after the drawing process is 4 times a length of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber before the drawing process.

The method for manufacturing the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber of the present disclosure further includes a step of: setting the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber at a temperature ranging from 50° C. to 150° C. in a setting process after the drawing process. A temperature of the setting process is higher than the temperature of the drawing process by 5° C. to 20° C. (step S4). Preferably, the setting process is implemented at a temperature ranging from 55° C. to 150° C.

In the setting process, rotational speeds of a third roller 53 and a fourth roller 54 are the same with the rotational speed of the second roller 52. A difference is that temperatures of the third roller 53 and the fourth roller 54 are controlled to be higher than the temperature of the second roller 52 (by about 5° C. to 20° C.).

In the setting process, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is softened again due to the high temperature when the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber passes between the third roller 53 and the fourth roller 54, and a strain stored during the drawing process can be released.

After the drawing process and the setting process, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is wound up by a take-up machine 6. The method for manufacturing the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is completed.

Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the take-up machine of FIG. 2 after the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is wound up. In some embodiments, a winding-on angle θ of the take-up machine 6 ranges from 4° to 8° . However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In the present disclosure, fiber strength of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is higher than 2 g/d. Preferably, the fiber strength of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is higher than 2 g/d, and up to 10 g/d. More preferably, the fiber strength of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is higher than 2 g/d, and up to 5 g/d. An extensibility of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is lower than or equal to 80%. Preferably, the extensibility of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is lower than or equal to 60%. More preferably, the extensibility of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is lower than or equal to 50%. A boiling water shrinkage of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is lower than or equal to 30%. Preferably, the boiling water shrinkage of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is lower than or equal to 20%.

In addition, other processes can be implemented on the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber so as to obtain a partially oriented yarn (POY), a fully drawn yarn (FDY), or a draw textured yarn (DTY). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Moreover, bulk of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber can be enhanced by a false twister, and elasticity of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber can be enhanced by a draw twister, so that the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber can have more extensive applications.

A thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fabric can be manufactured from the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber of the present disclosure by certain weaving technologies. The thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fabric also has advantages of good physical properties and recyclability.

It is worth mentioning that the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber can be simultaneously dyed and manufactured in the method for manufacturing the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber of the present disclosure. Therefore, an additional dyeing process of a fiber or a fabric can be omitted.

In a general dyeing process, the fiber or the fabric is immersed in a dyeing solution at a high temperature for 30 minutes to 60 minutes. After rinsing and drying the fiber or the fabric, the dyeing process is completed. As for the fiber or the fabric formed from a crystalline polymer, such as polyester, the fiber or the fabric can be dyed by the aforementioned process. However, as for the fiber or the fabric formed from a non-crystalline polymer, such as polyurethane, the fiber or the fabric cannot be effectively dyed by the aforementioned process. Therefore, a dyeing process aimed at polyurethane fibers is still required in the conventional technology.

In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle includes a normal thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle and a color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle. The normal thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle is a particle formed from a material which has a main component of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer without any pigment. The color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle is a particle formed from a material which has a main component of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer and contains the pigment.

Accordingly, when the normal thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle and the color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle are mixed and melted, a color of the pigment displays on the melted thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. After the aforementioned steps S2 to S4, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber with the color can be obtained without any dyeing process.

Specifically, based on a total weight of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle (the normal thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle and the color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle) being 100 wt %, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle contains 0.1 wt % to 4.0 wt % of the pigment. Preferably, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle contains 0.2 wt % to 3.0 wt % of the pigment. More preferably, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle contains 0.3 wt % to 1.5 wt % of the pigment.

Based on a total weight of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle (the normal thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle and the color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle) being 100 wt %, an amount of the color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle ranges from 1 wt % to 15 wt %. The amount of the color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle can be adjusted according to various types of the pigment used. Preferably, the amount of the color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle ranges from 1 wt % to 12 wt %. More preferably, the amount of the color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle ranges from 1 wt % to 10 wt %.

In some embodiments, the pigment can be a white pigment, such as titanium dioxide particles, calcium carbonate particles, or barium sulfate particles. Based on a total weight of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle being 100 wt %, an amount of the white pigment ranges from 0.1 wt % to 4.0 wt %.

In others embodiments, the pigment can be a black pigment, such as graphite powder, nano carbon black, carbon nanotube, or graphene. Based on a total weight of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle being 100 wt %, an amount of the black pigment ranges from 0.1 wt % to 4.0 wt %.

In some embodiments, the normal thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle is formed from a material having a main component of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle is formed from a material having thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer and the pigment. In addition, the materials of the normal thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle and the color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle do not include other polymers, such as nylon or polyester, etc. Accordingly, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber and the fabric thereof which are manufactured from the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle of the present disclosure can be directly recycled and reproduced.

In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle can further include a functional thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle. The functional thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle is a particle formed from a material having thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer and a functional agent.

For example, the functional agent can be an ultraviolet absorbent. An addition of the ultraviolet absorbent can postpone the occurrence of the yellowing in the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, especially for the polyester based TPU.

Specifically, based on a total weight of the functional thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle being 100 wt %, an amount of the functional agent ranges from 0.1 wt % to 4.0 wt %. Preferably, the amount of the functional agent ranges from 0.2 wt % to 3.0 wt %. More preferably, the amount of the functional agent ranges from 0.3 wt % to 1.5 wt %.

Based on a total weight of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle being 100 wt %, an amount of the functional thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle ranges from 1 wt % to 15 wt %. Preferably, the amount of the functional thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle ranges from 1 wt % to 12 wt %. More preferably, the amount of the functional thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle ranges from 1 wt % to 10 wt %.

Therefore, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber can be simultaneously manufactured and multi-functionalized in the method for manufacturing the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber of the present disclosure so as to reduce time cost.

Beneficial Effects of the Embodiment

In conclusion, by virtue of “the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle having a Shore hardness ranging from 45D to 80D” and “melting the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle to manufacture the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber”, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber and the method for manufacturing the same, and the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fabric of the present disclosure can overcome the issues of weak physical properties and the slow production speed.

Further, by virtue of “the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle including a normal thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle and a color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle, and the color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle contains the pigment”, and the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber and the method for manufacturing the same, the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fabric of the present disclosure can solve a dyeing difficulty of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the disclosure and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for manufacturing a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber, comprising: providing a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle which has a Shore hardness ranging from 45D to 80D; and melting the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle to manufacture the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is manufactured at a production speed ranging from 1200 m/minute to 6000 m/minute.
 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: stretching the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber at a temperature ranging from 50° C. to 150° C. in a drawing process.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein a draw ratio of the drawing process ranges from 1 to
 4. 5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: setting the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber at a temperature ranging from 50° C. to 150° C. in a setting process after the drawing process.
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the temperature of the setting process is higher than the temperature of the drawing process by 5° C. to 20° C.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle contains 0.1 wt % to 4 wt % of a pigment based on a total weight of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle being 100 wt %.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle includes a normal thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle and a color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle, and the color thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle contains the pigment.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle is extruded by an extruder to form the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber after being melted, and a temperature of the extruder is set to range from 150° C. to 250° C.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein a main component of a material forming the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle is thermoplastic polyurethane
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer particle is formed from thermoplastic polyurethane that has a weight average molecular weight ranging from 30000 to
 450000. 12. A thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber manufactured by the method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a Shore hardness of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber ranges from 45D to 80D.
 13. The thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber according to claim 12, wherein fiber strength of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is higher than 2.0 cN/F.
 14. The thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber according to claim 12, wherein an extensibility of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is lower than or equal to 80%.
 15. The thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber according to claim 12, wherein a boiling water shrinkage of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber is lower than or equal to 30%.
 16. A thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fabric manufactured from the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber as claimed in claim
 12. 